Skip to main contentSkip to Xpert Chatbot

University of Cape Town: Occupational Health and Safety

Improve employee safety and satisfaction in the workplace, and ensure your business is compliant with local legislation.

Improve employee safety and satisfaction in the workplace, and ensure your business is compliant with local legislation.

...
This course is offered by , an edX partner
10 weeks
7–10 hours per week
Starts Jun 9, 2025
Enroll by Jun 15, 2025
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
10 weeks
7–10 hours per week
Starts Jun 9, 2025
Enroll by Jun 15, 2025
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule

About this Course

The South African Occupational Health and Safety Act stipulates that all local companies with more than 20 employees must have health and safety measures in place. However, many businesses don’t fully understand their legal responsibilities or know where to start when it comes to health and safety management in the workplace. For this reason, occupational health and safety (OHS) officers are an indispensable part of any organization.

The Occupational Health and Safety online short course from the University of Cape Town (UCT) will equip you with the skills to ensure legal compliance and create a safe, productive working environment for employees. You’ll learn how to conduct risk assessments, effectively manage workplace hazards and stressors, compile an investigative report, and oversee OHS training at your organization. Ultimately, you’ll leave with knowledge that can be applied across corporate and industrial settings, and a certificate validating your competencies in occupational health and safety.

Those looking to advance their career prospects and take a lead on OHS matters at their companies will likely find this course beneficial. It’s suitable for both professionals looking to break into the field, and those who already have experience in occupational health and safety and want to build on an existing qualification. The content of this Saiosh-accredited online course is also ideal for business leaders who want to ensure employee safety and satisfaction, and guarantee compliance with legislation. The online learning approach builds in both structure and flexibility, and students will receive support from tutors throughout the 10-week journey.

Course curriculum

Skip Course curriculum

Learn how to ensure your organisation meets requirements for occupational health and safety as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module: Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1: Introduction to OHS

Module 2: Organisation of health and safety management

Module 3: Risk assessment and control

Module 4: Managing hazards

Module 5: Managing machinery, power sources and other equipment

Module 6: Managing hazardous substances

Module 7: Managing health stressors and training

Module 8: Managing construction activities and incidents

Module 9: Preventing, preparing for and responding to fires

Module 10: Managing health and safety performance

About the digital certificate

Explore approaches to occupational health and safety, and earn an official certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you digitally upon successful completion of the program, as per the stipulated requirements. Please note, due to additional administrative requirements, at times UCT course certificate delivery may be delayed by several weeks/months.

Some facts about the subject

2.78 million

The number of workers around the world who die annually as a result of occupational accidents or diseases.

_International Labour Organization (2020).___

37%

The year-on-year decrease in the number of fatalities recorded in South Africa’s mining industry from 2018 to 2019.

_South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (Oct, 2020).___

Why choose GetSmarter?

GetSmarter, an edX partner, delivers career-relevant, fully supported, and expert-led online courses from the world's leading universities and institutions. As an online learning expert with over 15 years' experience, GetSmarter leverages long-standing expertise in market research, data analysis, and business insights to ensure that you gain the skills critical to career growth.